3b50.10 Ripple Tank

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the properties of diffraction and interference using water waves.

DESCRIPTION: A ripple tank consists of a shallow water tank supported above a 45 degree mirror with a point source above that reflects off the mirror and casts a shadow onto a ground glass screen.  The shadow is shown in the above photo at left.  Inside the ripple tank is a mechanical vibrator with a wave maker that produces point source wavelets or parallel wavefronts.  Various obstructions and barriers such as a single slit, a double slit and an edge can be inserted into the path of the waves.  The assembled ripple tank is shown in the photo at right.

EQUIPMENT:  as photographed.

SETUP NOTES: See below: